Fred Markham in Russia; or, The Boy Travellers in the Land of the Czar,
by W H G Kingston.
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Fred and his brother have an adult friend, Cousin Giles, who is a naval
officer who had served under the boys' father, before injury had
compelled his retirement. One day Cousin Giles asks the boys to come
with him on a visit to Russia. This was 1856. The boys' mother is glad
they are not going too far, such as to the Antipodes.
The little party arrive in Russia after some problems with their sea
voyage. They tour Saint Petersburg, and then travel a little wider.
Meeting various people with a knowledge of the land and its customs,
they get some good first-hand information about Russia. Some of their
new friends tell long stories about things that have happened to them,
or to their own friends, and by this device we learn much more about
Russia and its people, and their lives, often very difficult, under the
Czars.
And the boys have some thrills of their own, for instance during an
encounter with wolves.
Eventually it is time to return home, and the last two chapters are
letters from Fred to his mother, recounting their adventures during the
last few days of their holiday. But Fred must have been a remarkably
well-educated boy to write in such an adult style!
This book was written just after a time when it had become possible to
travel to Russia. Many people had availed themselves of this chance,
and had written of their journeys. Kingston uses the device of telling
us about Russia as seen by the two boys, embellished with the adventures
of some of the friends they make.
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FRED MARKHAM IN RUSSIA; OR, THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN THE LAND OF THE CZAR,
BY W H G KINGSTON.